Animal Stories - Western Mastiff Bat

A Western Mastiff Bat (Eumops Perotis) was brought into WildCare. It was found grounded during the day and being attacked by crows. The bat had bruising and superficial wounds to her wings and tail. There was a tear in the right wing between the 4th and 5th digits. She was cold, thin, and dehydrated. After she was medically stabilized she then went into foster care with Kim Sandholdt.

Eumops, as they are called, are not known to inhabit the San Francisco Bay Area. They are the largest native bat in the United States. They can fly 50-60 mph; they primarily eat moths on the wing; they do not hibernate, although when temperatures drop they will stay in the roost and go into torpor. They prefer exfoliating granite and typically their roosts provide a clean drop of several meters to allow them to gain momentum to launch into flight. They have a wing span of 22”.

After 7 months of rehabilitation in foster care with Kim, the bat was successfully released by Kim, Cindy Dicke and a team of bat biologists in area with population of Eumops.